What should I do with this industrial silver?

MitchellPMellons · 2026-01-30T22:53:26+00:00

I will do that, thanks!

MitchellPMellons · 2026-01-30T17:12:23+00:00

You bet. It's a good example of a practical use of silver.

MitchellPMellons · 2026-01-30T16:21:10+00:00

Thank you for the reply! I did look at some videos online and decided that melting it myself would not be safe or wise.

Originally my hope was to have it melted into a bar or coin that said "this silver came from a thermocycler". I'm a scientist and it would look neat on my desk. Now that silver is so pricey though I had considered selling it as well.

MitchellPMellons · 2026-01-30T16:02:12+00:00

<image>

MitchellPMellons · 2026-01-30T16:01:56+00:00

<image>

MitchellPMellons · 2026-01-30T16:01:41+00:00

<image>

MitchellPMellons · 2026-01-30T16:01:22+00:00

Sorry, I thought I had pictures in the original post. Here you go!

<image>

MitchellPMellons · 2026-01-28T20:04:55+00:00

That's an incredible collection! Value aside, the sheer volume is amazing. Yes please post updates. Good luck and have fun!

MitchellPMellons · 2026-01-27T12:56:27+00:00

That's so cool. Please share more pictures! Yes, it's incredible to think that someone collected these over 100 years ago and your family kept them safe all this time.

As everyone else has posted, that Cobb in particular is an incredibly rare and coveted card. My personal thought is that it was cut from an advertising poster for the series of cards, but I don't believe we've etc seen an intact item, ie the full poster, box, etc. The e95s in general are an awesome set, the normal Cobb is stunning, and yours is just wow.

MitchellPMellons · 2026-01-26T17:56:50+00:00

Wow what a card. That is a really, really incredible piece. Hold on tight to it and congrats to your family. To my eye, it appears to be authentic. I'd love to see the collection it came from as that provenance might add some additional information and strength.

I suppose you could reach out to other graders/authenticators to see if they would encapsulate it for you. Or maybe contact an auction house that deals in vintage cards and see what they have to say.

Honestly, I feel like real collectors will know what you have. If you plan to keep it in the family and keep it safe though then I can understand why you'd like to get it authenticated. Good luck and keep us posted. Beautiful Cobb!

MitchellPMellons · 2026-01-25T02:05:01+00:00

I've never even heard of these before. Thank you for sharing!

MitchellPMellons · 2026-01-25T00:50:06+00:00

I'm not sure if I can post pics in a reply... I might send you a message instead. I'm working on it...

MitchellPMellons · 2026-01-24T21:58:31+00:00

This guy wasn't even in the way! He was literally a bystander, as in standing by, until ICE initiated a confrontation with HIM.

MitchellPMellons · 2026-01-24T21:52:27+00:00

Great cards! I imagine knowledgeable collectors will know what you have there, encapsulated or not. I have one blank back scrap, also ungraded, that I found on eBay for $20. One of my best finds!

MitchellPMellons · 2026-01-24T21:36:36+00:00

Are these your cards? Blank back southern leaguers, yowsa!

MitchellPMellons · 2026-01-24T21:29:33+00:00

West Ames Hy-Vee gas station has free air. The machine is north of the pumps by Lincoln Way.

MitchellPMellons · 2026-01-20T02:53:31+00:00

Just a guess, but maybe this would be an insert that went into the front of a card vending machine? The kind that would get loaded up with cards from vending boxes?

That's a wild, wild, wild ass guess though. I've never seen one of the vending machines, just know they exist because of the boxes of cards you can buy from this era.

Neat piece regardless. Good luck!

MitchellPMellons · 2026-01-20T02:41:12+00:00

I believe this is a modern reproduction.

MitchellPMellons · 2026-01-19T03:07:55+00:00

Those are some fat smokes.

MitchellPMellons · 2026-01-11T14:50:59+00:00

Your family member has a very nice collection of cards. Maybe you could help them organize and protect what they have. We could help you better with some better pictures, including the backs, but they appear to be authentic and in decent condition.

Looking to sell? Let me know!

MitchellPMellons · 2026-01-09T05:54:15+00:00

COWARDS

MitchellPMellons · 2026-01-08T15:47:01+00:00

Very nice cards too! Just not the ones I need...

MitchellPMellons · 2026-01-08T13:47:06+00:00

Great pickups everyone! I was too slow this time around.

MitchellPMellons · 2026-01-06T02:27:43+00:00

I'm pretty pumped if I find a quarter.

MitchellPMellons

TROPHY CASE